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Apple Moves Closer to NZ iTunes Store By Buying Domain Name

Monday, August 8th, 2005 at 3:50 PM - by Staff

New Zealand news site Stuff reports on Monday that "Apple has moved a step closer to launching its long-awaited iTunes online music store in New Zealand, taking over the itunes.co.nz domain name from a Dunedin businessman who first registered the Web address." That businessman, Dave Goosselink, was using the Web site to sell iPods via Amazon.com and is quoted in the article as saying he's "satisfied with the arrangement" to sell the domain.

Apple's move comes on the heels of the launch of CokeTunes, Coca-Cola's online music store for New Zealanders. That site features almost 600,000 songs while its only local competition, Digirama, offers 73,000 tunes for sale. CokeTunes has deals with Universal, Warner, EMI and local New Zealand labels. It sells songs and albums for $1.75 and $18, respectively, prompting Digirama to cut its prices to $1.69 and $17.99. Those numbers are in New Zealand currency; CokeTunes' prices are $1.21 and $12.46 at current exchange rates.

Apple declined to comment to Stuff, of course, leaving the launch date of New Zealand's iTunes Music Store a mystery. The company purchased itunes.com.au in April, but it has yet to open the Australian iTunes Music Store.

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